Defining Relative Clauses

For People

Use defining relative clauses to give important information about the noun in the sentence.

For people, use the pronouns WHO and THAT.

Example:

Miss Malu is the teacher who teaches English.

Miss Michelle is the teacher that teaches Math.

Objects

To talk about objects, use the pronouns THAT or WHICH.

Example:

Scientists use lenses that/which allow telescopes to see deep into space.

Places

To talk about places, use the pronoun WHERE.

Example:

This is the city where I grew up.

Possession

Begin a relative clause with the pronoun WHOSE to show possession.

Example: That’s the man whose car was stolen.